Machine for making can opening keys



April 17, 1934. A. E. ALMGREN 1,954,791

MACHINE FOR MAKING CAN OPENING KEYS Filed July 30, 1932 7' Sheets-Sheet l 2 2? 2 JVZ/ Z O O zd if if; i Z/ a H r O D mvamon A. A/ ATTORN April 17, 1934. A. E. ALMGREN MACHINE FOR MAKING CAN OPENING KEYS Filed July 30, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet April 17, 1934. r A. E. ALMGREN 1,954,791

NE FOR MAKING CAN OPENING KEYS Filed. July 30. 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR '1 @yu k BY l r ATTORNEY A. E. A'LMGREN 1,954,791

MACHINE FOR MAKING CAN OPENING KEYS April 17, 1934.

Film July 30, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 EL'IIIIIIIIH R Q IIIHII MUM I l A m mm A ymumv INVENTOR ATTORNEY VIII/Ill! April 17, 1934. A. E. ALMGREN MACHINE FOR MAKING CAN OPENING KEYS Filed July 30, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet, 5

April 17, 1934.

A. E. ALMGREN MACHINE FOR MAKING CAN OPENING KEYS Filed July 30, 1932 7 Shets-Sheet 6 12a INVENTOR April 1934- A. E. ALMGREN 1,954,791

MACHINE FOR IAKING CAN OPENING KEYS Filed July 30. 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 w mulilm wil a 1 E llllh 27 INVENTOR' A4 77 ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 17, 1934 MACHINE FOR MAKING CAN OPENING KEYS August E. Almgren, Hillside, N. J., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application July 30, 1932, Serial No. 626,529

20 Claims.

The present invention relates to the manufacture of opening keys, such as are used with tearing strip containers and has more particular reference to improved wire feeding and holding elements associated with key forming mechanisms.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus for forming keys or key blanks from a strand of wire which is fed intermittently in a simple and accurate manner into a forming station where it is held while the proper wire length is automatically cut off from the who supply and the wire piece is then subjected to the desired key shaping operation while still in the forming station.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a series of wire feeding and holding devices in a key machine for retaining control of the wire at all times during a key forming operation.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for the purpose described wherein a plurality of wires are simultaneously presented to a simple forming mecha nism, are simultaneously and accurately out 01f to proper length, are then simultaneously shaped to provide key blanks.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which,

taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan sectional view of a part of the apparatus as viewed along the broken line 2-2 in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of gobending jaws used in the shaping of the key wire into proper key form;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, of the apparatus as viewed substantially along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2;

.Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating a different position of the working parts of the apparatus;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged front elevation of the apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 1, the

upper and lower and the right-hand end being broken away and parts being shown in section;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional View of the upper part of the machine as viewed substantially along the line 7-7 in Fig. 2;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are fragmentary, sectional key shaping station. During the return or reverse plan views of various actuating parts of the apparatus, as viewed respectively along the broken lines'88,.99 and 10-10 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line 1111 in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 12 is a similar sectional view taken substantially along the line 12-12 in Fig. 5.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawings for purposes of exemplifying the present invention is adapted to the feeding of two strands of wire, although only one or more than two Wires may be used. These wire strands are passed through two sets of straightening rollers and thence into a forming station. This feeding of the wire or wire strands is intermittent and the feeding devices used for the purpose comprise a feeding slide which isreciprocated back and forth in timed relation with other operating parts of the apparatus.

Gripping instrumentalities are pivotally mounted on and are carried by the slide and are pivotally actuated to enage the wire strands during the forward reciprocation of the slide so that the wire will also be advanced and passed into the reciprocation of the feeding devices these gripping instrumentalities are lifted clear of the wire strands and at the same time clamping devices engage and hold the wires in a stationary position. It is at such time that the formative operation upon the wire takes place, a key length piece ,of wire being first severed from the forward end of each wire strand.

Any suitable key forming operation is contemplated at the shaping station, the drawings illustrating suflicient mechanism for bending the cut wire pieces into a key blank. As a part of such operation each wire piece is held upon a forming mandrel by a presser foot while a forming die and forming jaws perform the desired bending actions. The withdrawal of the forming mandrel from the newly formed key blanks, which immediately follows, permits discharge of the latter from the machine.

The apparatus is mounted upon a'base 11 which supports legs 12 that carry the machine proper. A housing 13 formed with a base 14 rests directly upon the legs 12 and extends upwardly in a housing orcasing section 15. An intermediate bracket 16 is bolted to one side of the lower housing 13 and a terminal bracket 1'7 is secured to the intermediate bracket. These parts constitute the principal supporting frame of the apparatus.

One or more strands of wire 21 may be converted into key blanks by the machine herein illustrated, the particular adaptation in the present embodiment showing operations for using two such wire strands. Each wire strand comes into the machine through a series of horizontal straightening rollers 22 mounted upon vertical studs 23 carried in a block 24 mounted upon the bracket 17. From these straightening rollers the wire strands pass through a similar set of vertical straightening rollers 25 mounted upon horizontal studs 26 carried in a block 27 which is also mounted upon the bracket 17. The fully straightened wire strands then pass through a guide member formed by a coperating, a grooved block 28 and cap 29, the former being mounted upon the bracket 1'7.

Each wire strand is intermittently advanced by a feeding device which includes a slide (Figs. 2, 5 and 12) which moves back and forth of the wire into the openings when a new wire strand is first inserted. These openings'38', 39 are in axial alignment and each is larger than the wire, allowing a free clearance around it.

The slide 35 is provided with angularly faced projecting walls 51 (Fig. 12) which have sliding engagement within V-shaped grooves 52 formed on the inner faces of spaced slide gibs 53. These gibs are inserted in a horizontal, grooved part of the bracket 16 and are'held in fixed position by pins 54 (Fig. 2). v

The slide 35 pivotally connects at 55 to a link 56 which is also pivotally connected at 57 to the upper end of a lever 58 (Figs. 1, 5 and 6) which oscillates on a horizontal fixed shaft 59carried in bearings 61 formed in the bracket 16.

The lower end of lever 58 is pivotally connected at 65 to one end of an adjustable connecting rod 66 threadedly secured to an eccentric strap 67 (see also Fig. '7) held in working position on an eccentric 68 by an eccentric cap 69. The eccentric 68 is keyed to a horizontal drive shaft '71 which is journaled in bearings 72 formed in the housing 13.

This drive shaft '71 may be rotated in any suitable manner as through a power drive operating with a gear '73 keyed to one end of the shaft and confined within a gear case '14 secured to the side of the housing 13, a bearing 75 formed in the gear case enclosing the outer endof the shaft.

As the slide 35 moves on its backward or nonfeeding stroke (toward the right in Fig. 5) it moves freely over the wire without imparting any longitudinal movement to it. During the forward reciprocation of the slide, however, provision is made for engaging the wire strands 21 so that these strands will also be advanced the full stroke of the slide. This is accomplished by gripping instrumentalities carried by the slide in a manner which will now be; described.

These gripping instrumentalities comprise a block 81 (Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 12) which is pivotally mounted upon a horizontal stud 82 heldin spaced lugs 83 projecting upwardly from the slide 35. The block 81 carries a head 85 formed on the forward end of a cylindrical stem 86, this stem being retained in an opening 87 formed in the block. The outer end of the stem 86 is reduced into a threaded shank 88 for the reception of a locknut 89 and a clamping washer 91, the locknut drawing the stem 86 securely against the rear end of the block 81 and holding these parts together.

The head 85 is upwardly extended into a boss section 95 and is recessed to provide a vertically extending bore 96. This head is also slotted along its front lower wall to form spaced lugs 97. A gripping pin 101 having a flat face 102 is located within the recess or bore 96, its upper end resting against the lower end of an adjusting screw 103 threadedly secured in the boss 95 and held in adjusted position by a lock-nut 104. This adjusting screwbacks up and determines the vertical position of the pin 101 relative to the head 85.

The gripping pin 101 is held in fixed position by a clamping bolt 106 which passes freely through an opening in one of the lugs 97 and is threadedly engaged in the other lug. This bolt draws the lug walls 97 of the head 85 toward each other and into clamping position. The fiat surface 102 of the pin 101 rests against the bolt 106 as shown in Fig. 5 and this prevents turning 'of the pin within its seat.

The gripping pin 101 is located above the strands 21 and above the block 42, the latter being cut away at 111 (Figs. 5 and 12), the lower end of the pin extending into this relieved space, as shown. The pin 101 is pointed at 115 and this point, when the pin is lowered, comes down between the wire strands 21 and the lower faces of the pin engage the wire strands as they rest within their grooved seats in the block 42 (see also Fig. 4).

This engagement is made as the slide 35 moves forward and is maintained during the full forward stroke. thus feeding the wire strands as previously described. The pin 101 is moved into gripping position by an oscillation on the stud 82 of the block 81 and parts carried thereby. The wire strands v21 pass freely through horizontal openings 116 formed in the stud.

To eifect this oscillation of the block 81, a rearwardly extending arm 121 (Figs. 2 and 5) of the block carries a pin 122 on which a cam roller 123 is rotatably mounted. This roller is located within a horizontal slot 124 formed in the side face of ahead 125 formed on a vertically extending bar 126. This bar 126 has sliding movement within a vertical slot 127 formed in the bracket 16, a side plate 128 secured by bolts 129 to the bracket holding the bar in operating position.

The lower end of the bar 126 is pivotally connected atg131, to an adjustable connecting link 132 (see also Fig. 6) threadedly engaging a swivel block 133 which is pivotally connected at 134 to one end of a lever 135. Lever 135 is mounted for oscillation upon a fixed shaft 136 which is supported in a lug 137 projecting outwardly from the housing 13 and formed as an integral part of the base 14.

The opposite end of the lever 135 (see also Fig. '7) carries a cam roller 141 which operates within a cam groove 142 formed in a face cam 143 mounted upon and rotated with the shaft '71. This cam rocks the lever 135 which raises and lowers the bar 126 and its head 125 and the resulting oscillation of the block 81 controls the gripping action of the pin 101. The horizontal extent of the head 125 and the slot 124 is sufficient the slide 35. By means of this construction the block 81 is rocked to clamp the wire as the block from its rear position begins its forward move- 'ment and the block is again rocked at its forward position to release the wire.

A key forming station is located within the housing parts 13, 15 and the forward ends of the wire strands 21 are moved into this station. To insure against return movement of the wire strands with the returning feeding devices a clamping device is provided which is located just in advance of the forming station. This will now be described and reference should be had to Figs. 2, 5, 10 and 11.

The strands 21 before reaching the forming station pass along horizontal parallel grooves 151 which are formed in the upper face of a block 152 secured by screws 153 to a plate 154 which is carried upon a horizontal bed section 155 formed in the housing 13. A cover block 156 is positioned upon one end of the block 152 and is secured by a screw 157 and this cover block, in its lower engaged surface, is cut across with two parallel grooves 158 which cooperate with the grooves 151 to provide a passageway for the wire strands at the forward end of the block 152. The opening thus formed is flared outwardly at 159 to allow for easy insertion of the wire strand 21 when the wire is first fed into the machine.

In a similar way a cover block 161 is located on the rear end of the block 152, a screw 162 holding it in position. Grooves 163 are formed on the under face of the block 161 and these grooves also align with the grooves 151 which provides a channel for the wire strands. The wire holding or clamping devices are located directly above the block 152 and between the cover blocks 156, 161.

A clamping head 1'71 (Figs. 5 and 11) is carried in the lower slotted end of a sliding rod 172, a rivet 174 securing the parts together. The lower end of the head 171 is tapered to provide a pointed end 175 which is adapted to engage the two wire strands 21 is they rest in the grooves 151, this position being illustrated in Figs. 5 and 11.

The rod 172 is formed with a reduced, upwardly projecting stem 176 and both rod and stem are located within a vertical opening 177 formed in a boss 178 formed as an integral part of an arm 179 (see also Figs. '7 and 10) of a lever 181. The upper end of the stem 176 extends through the end of the boss 178 and is threaded for locknuts 182 which normally engage the top of the boss.

A spring 183 surrounds the lower section of the stem 176 and is confined within the opening 177 of the boss 178, this spring normally urging the head 171 and stem 176 outwardly, the locknuts 182 limiting the amount of outward movement of the rod 172. This provides a yielding element for the clamping head 171 when it lowers and engages the wire strands. V

The lever 181 is mounted upon a horizontal stationary shaft 185 which is held in bearings 186 formed in the housing section 15. Lever 181 carries a second arm 187 which carries a pin 188 on which a cam roller 189 is rotatably mounted. Roller 189 operates within a cam groove 191 formed in a barrel cam 192 secured to a vertical shaft 193.

The cam 192, the shaft 193 and surrounding parts are enclosed within the housing 15. The shaft 193 is journaled at its lower end in a bearing 194 formed in housing 15 and its upper end is journaled in a bearing 195 formed in a cap 196 inserted in a horizontal top wall 197 of the housing. Bolts 198 may be used to hold the cap 196 in rigid fixed position.

A washer 199 is preferably mounted on the shaft 193 between the cam 192 and bearing 194 and a similar washer 201 may be mounted on the upper end of the shaft, being held against the bearing 195 by engagement with a shouldered part of the shaft. The shaft 193 is constantly rotated in synchronism with the operating parts of the apparatus and for this purpose it carries a bevel gear 202 which meshes with a similar gear 203 keyed to the horizontal drive shaft 71.

The clamping head 171 not only holds the wire strands 21 against return movement with the slide 35 but also holds them while key length pieces of wire are severed from their forward ends. Such severing is accomplished by cutting devices which include a movable roller or cutting disc and a stationary die plate best illustrated in Fig. 5.

The forward ends of the wire strands 21 in front of the block 152 extend through horizontal openings 211 out through a die block 212 which is mounted upon the plate 154 adjacent the block 152. These openings 211 are flared outwardly at 13 to provide for easy insertion of the wires into the openings when the wires are first brought into the apparatus.

The vertical front edge of the block 212 (lefthand edge in Fig. 5) constitutes one of the cutting elements, this wall providing the stationary part of the cutting device. The cooperating movable cutting element comprises a disc 215 which has a circular peripheral cutting wall 216, this disc moving down and along the vertical wall of the block 212 to sever the forward ends of the wire strands into proper key lengths.

Disc 215 is secured by a bolt 217 to an intermediate boss 218 (Figs. 5, 7 and 10) of a lever'219 of the second order. The outer end of the lever 219 is pivoted on a pin 221 which is supported by lugs 222 formed as an integral part of the plate 152. The lever 219 is rocked up and down on the pin 221 and in such movement lifts the cutting disc 215 into its raised position and forces it down in its cutting stroke. The lever 219 during such movement is guided by spaced upwardly extending posts 223 formed as integral parts of the plate 152.

The opposite end of the lever 219 is pivotally connected by a pin 224 to an upwardly extending link 225 the upper end of which is pivotally connected at 226 (see also Fig. 2) to an arm 227 of a lever 228. The lever 228 is mounted for oscillation on a stationary shaft 229 carried in bearings 231, 232 formed in the housing 15.

Lever 228 is formed with a second arm 233 which carries a pin 234 on which is rotatably mounted a roller 235 which operates in a groove 236 of a barrel cam 237 keyed to the shaft 193. This cam insures proper control of the connected parts just described so that the cutting disc 215 will sever key length pieces from the wire strands at the proper time which will be just after they have been advanced to their forward position. At the time of cutting the forward ends of the wire strands are clamped in a forming station by the presser 271 as hereinafter described.

The forming station for bending or shaping the severed wire pieces utilizes a mandrel 241 (Figs.

' 4, 5, 6 and 7) which is projected across a position just below the path of the moving wire strands being fed into the station. The mandrel 241 has sliding movement in a horizontal slot 242 out in a block 243 which is secured by a bolt 244 to the casing part 13.

A centering key 245 is preferably inserted in suitable slots formed in the abutting parts to hold the block in fixed position. In milling the slot 242, it has been found advantageous to out it in from one side of the block 243'and this slot excepting the space for the mandrel is afterwards filled by a spacer piece 246. The block 243 is also slotted vertically at 247 and it is into this slot that the forward ends of the wire strands 21 extend when in position on the mandrel 241.

The necessary sliding movement imparted to mandrel 241 as it is projected across the slot 247 for clamping the wire and for the bending operation or as it is withdrawn to clear the slot will first be described, after which the key bending or shaping operations will be set forth. Reference should be had to Figs. 7 and 10. The rear end of the mandrel 241 is held in a pin 251 which is pivotally connected to the bifurcated end of a link 252.

This link also bifurcated at its opposite end, is pivotally connected at 253 to the upper end of an arm 254 of a lever 255 mounted for oscillation on a pin 256 held in bearings 257 formed in the housing 15. The lever 255 also carries a lower arm 261 on which is pivotally mounted a roller 262 which operates in a groove 263 formed in a barrel earn 264 keyed to and rotating with the shaft 71. This cam providesnot only for mandrel movement but also holds it in forward projected position (as illustrated in 7) for the bending operation.

The wire ends are first clamped on the mandrel 241, in the position illustrated in Fig. 5, by a presser foot 271 which is mounted for vertical movement directly above that portion of the mandrel which extends across the vertical slot 247 when the mandrel is advanced. This presser foot is carried in a vertically moving slide head unit but is not secured to it, being mounted for independent movement within the head as will now be fully explained.

This slide head unit comprises a cross head 272 (Figs. 1, 7, 8 and 9) which is mounted for sliding movement within slideways formed by spaced slide gibs 273 secured by bolts to the housing frame 15. This cross head is pivotally connected at its upper end by a pin 274 to the lower end of a toggle link 275 pivoted on a center pin 276 to an upper toggle link 277 which is in turn pivoted at 278 to an adjustable block 279 located in a pocket 281 formed in a boss 282 projecting upwardly from the wall 197 of the housing 15.

The block 279 is held in adjusted position within the pocket 281 by a threaded sleeve 285 which is carried in a cap 286 bolted to the upper end of the boss 282. A locking bolt 287 is also used and extends through the sleeve 235 and threadedly engages the block 279. By tightly clamping this bolt so that the block 279 is pushed tightly against the lower end of the sleeve 285, the position of the block is determined and this establishes the travel or toggle stroke of the parts 275, 277 which in turn effects the desired amount of travel for the cross head 272.

This operation of the toggle is brought about by cam action, the pin 276 being engaged by a bifurcated end 291 of a link 292 pivotally connected at 293 to the upper end of an arm 294 of a bellcrank lever 295. Lever 295 is mounted for oscillation on a stationary shaft 296 supported in bearings 297, 298 formed in the housing 15.

. A second arm 299 of the bellcrank lever carries a pin 301 on which is rotatably mounted a roller 302 which operates within a groove 303 formed in a barrel cam 304 keyed to the upper end of the shaft 193,.

This operation of the toggle and the lowering of the cross head 272 effects the first bending action on the positioned key wire pieces at the forming station but prior to any bending, the presser foot 2'71 has moved downwardly as previously described into wire clamping position.

The presser foot 271 is formed with a head 311 (Figs. 4, 7 and 10) at its upper end which is recessed or slotted for connection with an actuating member carried in the cross head 272. A cylindrical member 312 is formed at its lower end with head 313 which fits within the slotted head 311 of the presser foot 271. This connecting of the two parts is effected when the presser foot is assembled into the cross head 272.

The lower end of the cross head is cut through;

grooves are sufiiciently wide to permit free sliding movement for the presser foot 271, the plate 318 also holding the presser foot in its groove seat. It is during the initial placing of the presser foot 271 into the slots 315, 321 of the members 272, 317 and before the plate 318 is put on that the slotted presser foot head 311 engages the head 313 of the member 312 as previously described.

The member 312 is yieldingly mounted in an auxiliary slide 325 which has vertical movement within a pocket 326 (Figs. 7 and 9) formed in the cross head 272. A plate 327 secured to the rear of the cross head retains the slide 325 in sliding position. Slide 325 is formed with a lower stem section 328 which is internally threaded for the reception of a bushing 329 and this bushing provides a seat or yielding mounting for the member 312.

A stem 332 of the part 312 extends up through the upper wall of the bushing and is surrounded by a spring 333 confined within the bushing. A shouldered, threaded cap 334 limits downward movement of the member 312 under the action of the spring and completes the yielding mounting referred to. This construction, by reason of the yielding clamping features of the presser foot 271, provides an improved clamping action upon the wire strands and allows full engagement of the wire before it has been cut.

This clamping takes place when the auxiliary slide 325 is lowered and for the purpose of obtaining a connection with actuating elements, the slide is slotted at 341 for the reception of connecting blocks 342 (Figs. 7 and 9) which engage a rounded end. 343 of an arm 344 of a lever 345. Lever 345 is mounted for oscillation upon a stationary shaft 346 held in bearings 347, 348 formed in the housing 15. The plate 327 is slotted at 349 for the desired clearance for the arm 344.

The lever 345 is formed with a second arm 351 which carries a pin 352 on which is rotatably mounted a roller 353 which operates within a groove 354 formed in a barrel cam 355 keyed to the shaft 193. The stroke of the lever 345 and the slide 325 under the cam actuation just described is in excess of the travel of the presser foot 271 and the spring 333 takes up this difference.

Immediately following the clamping of the forward ends of the wire strands 21 by the action of the presser foot 271 on the mandrel 241 the toggle members 275, 277 are operated to lower the cross head 272 and the bending die member 317 is thereupon brought into engagement with the wire pieces. The horizontal lower end of the die part 317 (Figs. 4, 5 and 6) is formed with a grooved surface 361, the grooves of which are in the same vertical plane as the wire pieces directly beneath and as the lower end of the die is first brought into engagement with the wire pieces, each wire piece is caught within one of the grooves.

Lowering of the die member continues and vertical grooves 362 in the same vertical plane with the other horizontal grooves provide the engaging pockets for the wire pieces as they are drawn into the rounded corners of the die surface of the die 317. The two ends of each wire piece are bent over the mandrel 241 and are brought into the position illustrated in Fig. 6. The position of each wire piece upon the mandrel is such as to provide a short leg 363 and a long leg 364 after the die 317 has completed its work. The two legs 363, 364 of the partially formed key blank while still tightly clamped around the mandrel 241 are in correct position for the final bending operation performed at this station.

This final bending operation is effected by the use of bending jaws 365, 366 (Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 7) which are located just below the die 317. The jaw 365 is formed with a hub 367 and the jaw 366 is similarly provided with a hub 368. These hubs are mounted side by side on a stationary shaft 369 held in position within a bearing 371 formed in the housing 15. The shaft 369 provides a pivotal support for the jaws which are oscillated into a closed position during their blank forming operation.

Jaw 365 is provided with a projecting section 375 in the surface of which is formed a pair of vertical grooves 376 for engaging the .depending legs 363 of the partially formed key blanks. In a similar manner a projection 377 is formed in the upper section of the jaw 366 and a pair of grooves 378 is similarly formed in its face. These grooves provide forming pockets for the legs 364 of the partially formed key blank.

In this bending operation, these jaws move from the position illustrated in Fig. 6 into the position illustrated in Fig. 4 by oscillating upon the stationary shaft 369. Both legs 363, 364 are thus reshaped and the resulting form provides the fully shaped key blank 379 illustrated in the latter figure. The faces of the projections 375, 377 are now in engagement the upper part of the shank of the key blank resting in the grooves 376, 378.

This movement of jaws 365, 366 on the stationary shaft 369 is effected by independent eccentric connections best illustrated in Figs. 4, 6 and 7. The jaw 365 is formed with spaced lugs 385 (Fig. 3) which carry a pin 386 which provides a pivotal connection for an arm 387 of an eccentric strap 388 which operates over an eccentric 389 carried by and rotatable with the shaft '71.

In a similar manner thejaw 366 supports a pivot pin 395 on which is pivotally connected an arm 396 of an eccentric strap 397 which operates overan eccentric 398 also carried. by the shaft 71. These eccentric members cooperate during their rotation with the shaft 71 to close and to separate the jaws as has just been described.

The shaft 369 (Figs. 1 and 7) is formed with an expanded head 401, which is vertically slotted at 402 to provide a passageway for the formed key blanks and to assist in their discharge from the forming station. This head carries spaced extending lugs 403 in which is secured the inner end of a discharge chute 404, a bolt 405 passing through the lugs 403 and through the discharge chute and holding the chute in fixed position upon the forward end of the shaft 369.

The vertical slot 402 in the forward end of the shaft communicates at its upper end with the slot 247 formed in the block 243 and these slots direct the formed key blanks 379 out through the discharge chute 404 when the mandrel 241 is withdrawn from its position across the slot 247. The formed key blanks when so released by the mandrel are initially moved downwardly through the slots by the presser foot 271 under the action of the spring 333 and fall into the discharge chute 404.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendent advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a, preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a can opening key machine, the combination of reciprocating feeding devices for advancing a plurality of parallel key wires through a key forming station, gripping instrumentalities carried by said feeding devices for holding the wires in said feeding devices during their forward reciprocation, cutting devices operating after each forward movement of said wires for severing key length pieces therefrom, and means at said station for bending in unison a plurality of said severed wire pieces into key form.

2. In a can opening key machine, the combination of reciprocating feeding devices for advancing a plurality of parallel key wires through a key forming station, gripping instrumentalities carried by said feeding devices for holding the wires in said feeding devices during their forward reciprocation, cutting devices operating after each forward movement of said wires for severing a plurality of key length pieces therefrom, clamping means located adjacent said forming station for holding the wires against movement during the backward reciprocation of said feeding devices, and means at said station for bending in unison a plurality of said severed wire pieces into key form.

3. In a can opening key machine, the combinationof reciprocating feeding devices for advancing a plurality of parallel key wires through a key forming station, gripping instrumentalities pivotally connected with and carried by said feeding devices, means for oscillating said instrumentalities on said pivotal connection for engaging and holding the wires in said feeding devices during their forward reciprocation, cutting devices operating after each forward movement of said wires for severing key length pieces therefrom, and means at said station for bending in unison a plurality of said severed wire pieces into key form.

4. In a can opening key machine, the combination of reciprocating feeding devices for advancing a plurality of key wires through a key forming station, gripping instrumentalities pivotally connected with and carried by said feeding devices, means for oscillating said instrumentalities on said pivotal connection for engaging and holding the wires in, said feeding devices during their forward reciprocation, clamping meanslo cated adjacent said forming station for holding the wires against movement during reverse os-.

' cillation of said instrumentalities into their grip wires during the forward travel of said feeding devices, cutting devices interposed between said straightening rollers and said station for severing key length pieces from said wires, a forming mandrel at said station, and. means for bending in unison a plurality of the severed key length pieces of wire around said mandrel to produce key blanks.

6. A can opening key machine comprising in combination, feeding devices for intermittently passing key wire into a key forming station, cutting devices operating upon said wire in advance of said station for severing key length pieces therefrom, a forming mandrel at said station, a presser foot at said station for holding a' said severed key length piece on said mandrel, and means separate from said presser foot for bending a said piece around said mandrel while held by said presser foot to produce a key blank.

7. A can opening key machine comprising in combination, feeding devices for intermittently passing key wire into a key forming station, cutting devices operating upon said wire in advance of said station for severing key length pieces therefrom, a forming mandrel at said station, a presser foot at said station and at an angle to said mandrel for holding a said severed key length piece on said mandrel, means for bending a said piece around said mandrel while held by said presser foot to produce a key blank, and means for withdrawing said mandrel from the formed key blank to discharge the same.

I 8. A can opening key machine comprising in combination, feeding devices for intermittently passing key wire into a key forming station, cutting devices operating upon said wire in advance of said station for severing key length pieces therefrom, a forming mandrel at said station, a presser foot at said station for holding a said severed key length piece on said mandrel. a bending die at said station operating after the holding action of the presser foot for partially bending a said key piece around said mandrel while held by said presser foot. and bending jaws also at said station for completing the formation of said key piece into a key blank.

9. In a can opening key machine, the combination of reciprocating feeding devices for advancing a plurality of separate strands of key wire arranged side by side through a'key forming station, gripping instrumentalities carried by said feeding devices for holding the wires in said feeding devices during their forward reciprocation, cutting devices operating after each forward movement of said wire strands for severing key length pieces therefrom, and means at said station for bending in unison a plurality of said severed wire pieces into key form.

10. In a can opening key machine, the combination of straightening rollers, reciprocating feeding devices for passing two separate strands of key wire arranged side by side through said roll- -,ersand into a key forming station, gripping instrurnentalities mounted on said feeding devices for engaging and holding the wires during the forward travel of said feeding devices, cutting devices interposed between said straightening rollers and said station for severing key length pieces from both strands of said wire, a forming mandrel at said station, and means for bending each pair of severed key length pieces of wire together around said mandrel to produce a pair of key blanks.

11. In a can opening key machine,- the combination of reciprocating feeding devices for advancing a plurality of key wires through a key forming station, gripping instrumentalities associated with and carried by said feeding devices and entering partly between the wires for engaging and holding the wire during the forward reciprocation of said devices, and means for moving said instrumentalities into wire gripping position.

12. In a can opening key machine, the combination of reciprocating feeding devices for advancing a plurality of key wires through a key forming station, gripping instrumentalities pivotally connected with and carried by said feeding devices, means for oscillating said instrumentalities on said pivotal connection for engaging between and holding the wires when in one position and during the forward movement of said devices and for releasing said wire when in another position during the return movement, and clamping means located adjacent said forming station for preventing backward movement of they wire during the return movement of said feeding devices.

13 In a can opening key machine, the combination of reciprocating feeding devices for advancing a pair of separate strands of key wire through a key forming station, gripping instrumentalities pivotally connected with and carried by said feeding devices, means for oscillating said instrumentalities on said pivotal connection for engaging between and holding the wire strands in the feeding devicesduring the forward travel of the latter, and clamping means located adjacent said forming station for holding the, wire strandsagainst backward movement during the return movement of said feeding devices.

14. In a can opening key machine, the combination of reciprocating feeding devices for advancing a pair of separate strands of key wire through a key forming station, gripping instrumentalities connected with and carried by said feeding devices, means for moving said instrumentalities to effect engagement between and with the wire strands in .the feeding devices, clamping means located adjacent said forming station for holding the wire against backward movement during the return travel of said feeding devices, and means located at said station and operating simultaneously upon both wire strands to bend them into key form.

15. In a can opening key machine, the combination of reciprocating feeding devices for advancing a pair of separate strands of key wire through a key forming station, gripping instrumentalities connected with and carried by said feeding devices, means for moving said instrumentalities to effect engagement with the wire strands in the feeding devices, cutting devices operating after each forward movement of said wire strands for severing a pair of key length pieces therefrom, and a mandrel and means located at said station for simultaneously bending said severed wire pieces into key shape on said mandrel to produce a pair of key blanks.

16. In a can opening key machine, the combination of a feeding slide having openings for the passage of a plurality of key wires, means for moving said slide toward a key forming station, and gripping instrumentalities pivotally mounted on said slide and shaped to engage a plurality of wires and adapted in one position to engage and hold the wires to move them with said slide into said key forming station.

17. In a can opening key machine, the combination of a feeding slide having openings for the passage of a plurality of key wires, means for moving said slide toward a key forming station, gripping instrumentalities pivotally mounted on said slide and adapted in one position to engage and hold the wires and cause them to be moved with said slide into said key forming station, actuating means for oscillating said gripping instrumentalities into wire engaging position in synchronism with the forward movement of said slide, and clamping means located adjacent said forming station for holding the wires against backward movement during the return movement of said feeding slide.

18. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a mandrel, means for bending a plurality of wires around said mandrel to form a can-opening key having a looped handle and a shank, guiding means leading to said mandrel and having guides to receive and conduct a plurality of wires past said mandrel, means for moving said mandrel endwise, cutting means for severing said wires in unison, and bending means for folding end portions of said wires together around the mandrel.

19. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a mandrel, means for bending a plurality of wires around said mandrel to form a can-opening key having a looped handle and a shank, guiding means leading to said mandrel and having spaced-apart separate guides to receive and conduct a plurality of Wires past said mandrel, means for moving said mandrel endwise, cutting means for severing said wires in unison, and bending means for folding end portions of said wires together around the mandrel.

20. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a mandrel, means for bending a V plurality of wires around said mandrel to form a can-opening key having a looped handle and a shank, guiding means leading to said mandrel and having guides to receive and conduct a plurality of wires past said mandrel, means for moving said mandrel endwise, cutting means for severing said wires in unison, and bending means for folding end portions of saidwires together around the mandrel, said bending means including jaws having wire-holding grooves.

AUGUST E. ALMGREN. 

